Page 37 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

2021 at which the company net profit growth, the increased competition at this regard, including the launch of 5G for
after adjusting for minority interest stood the local market resulting from the entry mobile devices, the expansion of the 5G
at RO 67.1 million. Commenting on this, of the third mobile operator, as well as for fixed and mobile networks and building
Mulhim bin Bashir Al Jarf, Omantel Board cross-border competition through OTTPs, an integrated system for innovation and
of Directors Chairman said, “Despite the requires us to always be prepared for technology entrepreneurship through
challenging market conditions, increased such changes”, he concluded. On his the launch of Omantel Innovation Labs,
competition and challenges resulting part, Talal bin Said Al Mamari, Omantel Omantel’s Innovation Oasis and the
from the COVID-19 pandemic at the local Chief Executive Officer, said, “Omantel has “E-Dukaan”, the first unmanned store
and international levels, Omantel Group implemented its new continues to be our in the Middle East region”, he furthered.
achieved a good financial performance primary tool to optimize value generation With regard to social responsibility, Al
during 2021.” “Zain Group, in which for both our customers and shareholders. Mamari said: “Omantel focused in 2021 on
Omantel has a strategic stake, continued Shift Gear builds further on the key providing support to the deserving families
delivering good performance and growing transformation initiatives started under and those affected by tropical cyclone
its net profit despite decline in revenues ‘Omantel 3.0’ and focusses on a number of “Shaheen” last October. The company
and EBITDA. Zain Group achieved a net key business enablers including Omantel's also launched selective initiatives aimed
profit growth of 2% compared to the same transition to a digital operator, building on at strengthening digital transformation
period in 2020. Moreover, the contribution the company's position and leveraging and building the capabilities of a digital
of Omantel’s subsidiaries in the Sultanate the Sultanate's strategic position as a society. Omantel issued this year its
to the Group’s revenues increased during global communications hub, in addition to fifth sustainability report, which covered
the past year compared to the same period exploring new areas of growth from new Omantel performance in social, economic
in 2020”, he added. “The Covid-19 outbreak business opportunities, primarily in the ICT and environmental aspects”. Omantel’s
continues to have a profound impact on the and value added services domain, while AGM also approved the other items listed
global and local economies as well as the at the same time continuing to implement on the meeting agenda, the most important
telecom sector in specific. Following the stringent controls in spending to assure of which is approving the allocation of RO
acceleration of vaccination programs, the the impact of Covid-19 is minimized 500,000 for community service during
expectation of a return to normal is growing while continuing to invest in essential 2022, appointing an auditor for the fiscal
and the domestic economy is expected strategic domains. “Customer experience year ending December 31, 2022 and
to gradually return back into a growth and innovation have been two main areas setting their fees, and approving the Board
scenario. While it is hoped that the local of focus for Omantel during 2021. We of Directors’ remuneration for the fiscal
economy will gradually return to achieving continued to launch several initiatives in year ending December 31, 2022.

Omantel and Rihal Sign an MoU to Benefit from RPA Solutions

Rihal, an Omani company specialized in
providing data migration and management
solutions, organized a ceremony at its head
office in Muscat, for signing a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) with Omantel
for providing a comprehensive training
program in the field of robotic process
automation (RPA) to a group of young
people who are enrolled in the “Generation
Z” program, an annual training program
for graduates offered by Omantel to train
a group of the program members on
robotic automation in various fields. The
MoU aims to support the efforts made to
empower Omani youth and enhance their
skills in the field of future technologies.
The MoU was signed by Azzan bin Qais
Al Kindi, CEO of Rihal, and Eng. Sami bin
Ahmed Al Ghassani, Chief Operating “Omantel is proud of the capabilities of the importance to the Omani youth because
Officer of Omantel, in the presence of Omani youth that qualify them to lead the we believe that they have the capabilities
officials from both sides. Commenting on next phase of the Renewed Renaissance and energies that push them to be
this MoU, Sami bin Ahmed Al Ghassani, and achieve the ambitions set out in Oman creative and innovative in various fields.
Omantel’s Chief Operating Officer said: Vision 2040”. “We at Omantel give special For this reason, Omantel has invested

37 MARCH-APRIL 2022